Bowling-alley pin-setter.



F. C. HOBBS.

BOWLING ALLEY PIN SETTERI APPLICATION FILED AUG.27. I915.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

F. C. HOBBS. BOWLING ALLEY PIN SETTER. APPLICATION FILED AUG-27. I9I5.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

F. C. HOBBS; BOWLING ALLEY PIN SETTER. APPLICATION FILED AUG-27. 1915.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

F. C. HOBBS. BOWL |NG ALLEY PIN SETTER. APPLICATION FILED AUG.27. 191:1.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

5 SHEETSSHEET 4.

F. C. HOBBS BOWLING ALLEY PIN SETTER. APPLICATION men AUG-27. 19x5.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET s.

MHIHW' 4 J7 r 15 1 nip FRANK C. HOBBS, OF MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE BRUNSWICK-BALKE- COLLENDER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

BOWLING-ALLEY PIN-SETTER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK C. HoBBs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Muskegon, in the county of Muskegon and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bowling- Alley Pin-Setters, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to bowling-alley pin-setters of that type which are arranged to swing in an are above the pin end of the alley bed and are provided with a shifting frame to upright the pins from a substantially horizontal position in the machine and assist in settingthem properly on the bed.

The object of the invention is to provide a machine of simple and inexpensive construction, comprising but few movable parts and adapted for rapidly and accurately setting the pins upon the spots on the alley bed.

Further objects of the invention are to provide improved means for actuating the shifting frame by contact with the alley bed for positioning the pins upon the spots on the alley bed, and for counter-balancing the machine.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine shown in the position indicated in broken lines in Fig. 2, the cushion on the alley being omitted. Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation showing the machine in elevated position in full lines, with the pins indicated in broken lines, and in lowered position in broken lines. Fig. 3 is a detail enlarged sectional view showing the front portion of the machine in elevated position. Fig. 4c is a similar view in lowered position. Fig. 5 is a detail enlarged sectional view of a portion of the main frame with the shifting frame removed. Fig. 6 is a detail viewof the front end of the machine showing a pin in set position. Fig. 7 is an elevation of the counter-balance devices located in the pit behind the cushion, the kickbacks being shown in section. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of a portion of the machine at the rear thereof and'Fig. 9

is a detail view showing a connection be-' tween the frame and the arms.

Referring to the-drawings, the invention comprlses a main frame 10 which is gen- Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 47,571.

erally triangular in shape and has a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal bars 11 and intermediate braces 12. .Angular arms 13 are pivotally mounted at 14 to side plates 15 located behind the cushion 16 on the kickbacks 17 and these arms extend forward close +to and alongside the kickbacks and" are adjustably connected with brackets 18 mounted on the rear corners of the main frame (Figs. 1, 2). Levers 19 are pivotally mounted on the cross bar 20, supported in the plates 15, and these levers have rearward extensions 21 which are connected to and adapted to operate the levers 22 pivoted at 23 in the plates 15 and carrying the weights 24; (Fig. 7 It will be noted that the weight levers extend transversely across the pit of" the alley, behind the cushion, and that the plates 15 and the pivot ends of the arms 14 and levers 19 are also located in a compact manner behind the cushion. machines of this type because it confines these parts to a very small space where they will be entirely out of the way and will not interefere with the game, or the operation of the machine, or withthe pin-boy.

The forward ends of the levers 19 are provided with rollers 19 which operate against the plates 25 on the arms 13. These plates are located at the bend in the arms and they are provided with two adjacent sockets" 25, 25 in which the rollers 19 operate. When the machine is in elevated position the rollers 19 are seated in the sockets 25"," as shown in full lines in Fig. 2; when the machine is in lowered or setting position the Patented Dec. a, 1915.

rollers will be seated in the sockets 25, as

shown in broken lines in Fig. 2. Whilethe machine is traveling between the elevated and lowered positions the rollers will ride over that part of the plates 25 which forms a partition between the sockets 25 and 25", and as some positive force is required to accomplish this, it will be apparent that the chances of accidental movement of the machine are thereby almost entirely eliminated. Furthermore, these sockets, in conjunction with the rollers 19 and levers 19,-

act as centering or positioning means for the machine, the socket 25 servlng to posiand balls.

' :32, carried by a substantially vertical lever pockets tion the machine in elevated position and the socket 25, servingto position the machine in lowered or setting position, as shown in Fig. 2.- This engagement of the rollers in the-sockets also steadies the machine and eliminates any tendency of the machine to jump or quiver" in its elevated or lowered positions.

The frame is arranged to swing above the pin-end 0f the alley bed and is counterbalanced by the weights 24 in the manner common to this-type of pin-setters, but the construction-and arrangement of parts hereinbefo-re described is ofimportance because they are almost entirely concealed from view and are arranged outof theway and where they will not be eauek byth pins This is especially important with regard to the Weights which are suffisition. and at the proper timeto deposit the pins, as hereinafter described, upon the spots on the alley bed. This movement is effected by an operating foot, in the form of a'roller 33pivotally connectedat 3.4 to the shifting gages the alley bed the-lever'33 will-lift the shifting frame which will swing {forward under the influence-of-links 30. 'As' the maf 2. In a pin-setter for bowling-alleys, the

frame and by a substantiallyhorizontal le ver 35 pivotally connected at 36 to a bracket- 37 on the main frame (Figsf3, 4), the com struction being such that when the roller enchine is raised to elevated position the shifting frame will return-by gravity to its nor'-" mal or folded position at; rest upon; the

. main'frame (Fig. 3). Springs 38 arear- I returns to normal position and relieve the a frame "to; engage the alley and limit the ranged at suitable locations on the main framejto-receive the shifting frame when it machine from ShOCK or j ar.

' j A handle 39 is provided at the rear of the inain frame, to facilitate the movement of the machine by the pin-boy and one or more cushioned'stops 40 are arranged onthe main downward movement ofthe machine.

. ln'practice themachine is loaded in elevated position, the pins being placed-.inrecliiiing. Position in thepockets, as shown in- Figs.*2 1and3. In this positionthe pin is supported on the body guides 28 of the main frameland the cross bar 31 of the shiftingframe with the upper edge of its base engaging the front portion of the pocket, as shown in Fig. 3. As the machine is broughtto rest upon the alley bed the shifting frame is swung forward whereby the cross bar 31Q-uprights the pin in the pocket and the pin falls down upon the alley bed. The shifting frame continues its forward swinging movement until the cross bar 31, engaging the neck of the pin, clamps the pin against the head guide and the lower front portion of the pocket, whereby the pin is centered in position on the spot of the alley bed (Fig. The guides 28 serve to assist in supporting the pin in reclining position and also to guide the pin while it is being uprighted in the pocket by the cross bar of the shifting frame, but these guides are not necessary in positioning the pin upon the spot because the cross bar 31 of the shifting frame clamps the pin between itself and the'head guide 27 and pocket 26. As the machine is lifted the shifting frame swings back to normal position, carrying the clamping cross bar away from the pin and the head guide and pocket clear the pin so that it will not be disturbed in the return movement of the machine.

Mypresent machine is preferably made of skeleton form and almost entirely of metal 6f commercial sections, the parts being riveted or bolted together to produce a strong and substantial but comparatively cheap machine which will not easily get out of or- "der and which can beoperated quicklyto accurately position the pins on the spots of 1 and operating in a plane at an angle to the 'directionof the plane of movement of the rame.

combination-of a pivoted frame, and a pair of counterbalance levers connected with the frame and each operating in a plane at an angle to the direction of theplane of movement of the frame.

' 3. In a pin-setter forbowling-alleys, the combination of a pivoted frame, and a pair of oppositely disposed counter-balance levers connected with. the frame and eachopcrating in a plane at an'angle to the direction of. the plane of moyement of the frame. 4. Ina pin-setter for bowling-alleys, the

v combination. of a frame pivoted to operate above the pin end of the alley bed, and a counter-balance lever connected with the frame and arranged transversely of the alley'tooperate in a plane at an angle to .the direction ofthe plane of movement of the frame.

, 5. The combination of a bowling-alley comprising a bed and a cushion, a pin-setter pivoted to swing over the pin end of the bed,

counter-balancing means located behind the cushion and connections between said counter-balancing means and pin setter, said counter balancing means and connections being arranged to remain always below the plane of the upper range of movement of said pin setter.

6. llhe combination of a bowling-alley comprising a bed and a'cushion, a pin-setter pivoted to swing over the pin end of the bed, and counter-balancing means comprising a weighted lever arranged behind the cushion transversely of the alley t operate at an angle to the direction of movement of the frame.

7. The combination of a bowling-alley comprising a bed and a cushion, a pin-setter pivoted to swing over the pin end of the bed, and counter-balancing means comprising a pair of oppositely disposed weighted levers arranged behind the cushion transversely of the alley to operate at an angle to the direction of movement of the frame.

8. The combination of a bowling-alley comprising a bed, a cushion and kickbacks, a pin-setter arranged to swing over the pin end of the alley bed, arms connected to said pinsetter and pivotally mounted on the kickbacks behind the cushion, and means for counter-balancing the pin-setter.

9. In a pin-setter for bowling alleys,'the combination -of a frame arranged to swing over the pin end of the alley bed, rearivardly extending arms connected to said frame and pivotally mounted at their rear ends, levers arranged to engage said armsto lift the pinsetter and control its downward movement, and pivotally mounted counter balance means for said pin-setter connected with said levers.

10. In a pin-setter for bowling alleys, the combination of a frame arranged to swing over the pin end of the alley bed, rearwardly extending arms connected to said frame and pivotally mounted at their rear ends, levers pivotally mounted at their lower ends and arranged at their upper ends to engage said arms to lift the pin-setter and control its downward movement, and counter-balance means for said pin-setter connected with said levers.

11. In a pin-setter for bowling alleys, the combination of'a frame arranged to swing over the pin end of the alley bed, rearwardly extending angular arms connected to said frame and pivotally mounted at their rear ends, pivoted levers having their upper ends arranged to engage the arms at the end therein, and counter-balance means for said pin-setter .connected with said levers.

12. In a pin-setter for bowling alleys, the combination of a frame arranged to swing over the pin end of the alley bed, realwardly extending arms connected to said frame and pivotally mounted at their rear ends and each provided with a socket, pivoted levers having their free ends arranged to engage said socket and adapted to be operated to lift the pin-setter and control its downward movement, and counter-balance means for said pin-setter connected to said levers.

13. In a pin-setter for bowling alleys, the combination of a frame arranged to swing over the pin end of the alley bed, rearwardly extending arms connected to said frame and pivotally mounted at their rear ends and each provided with a pair of sockets, pivoted levers having their free ends arranged to engage said sockets and adapted to be operated to lift the pin-setter and control its downward movement, and

counter-balance means for the pin-setter connected to said levers.

14. In a pin-setter for bowling alleys, the

combination of a frame arranged to swing over the pin end of the alley bed, rearwardly extending angular arms connected to said frame and pivotally mounted at their rear ends and each provided with a pair of sockets at the bend therein, pivoted levers hav ing their free ends arranged to engage said sockets and adapted to be operated to lift the pin-setter and control its downward movement, and counter-balance means for the pin-setter connected to said levers.

15. In a pin-setter for bowling alleys, the combination of a frame arranged to swing over the pin end of the alley bed, rearwardly extending arms connected to said frame and pivotally mounted at their rear ends, levers cooperating with said arms to lift the pin-setter and control its downward movement, means for steadying the operation of said pin-setter, and counter-balance main frame, a roller arranged to engage the alley bed, a substantially vertically arranged lever pivotally connected with said roller and with the shifting frame, and a substantially horizontally arranged lever pivotally connected with said roller and with said main frame.

18. In a pin-setter for bowling alleys, the

' combination of a frame, a plurality of pin pockets arranged in the frame and comprising a pair of complementary body guides and an oppositely disposed head guide, a 

